Agata Kotkowska is a distinguished expert on European Union policies, with a focus on sustainable finance, circular economy, sustainable production, and consumption. She has extensive experience with over two decades working at the European Commission, where she has played a key role in designing finance instruments for the EU Green Deal, including for several legal proposals in the environmental policy.
As a Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission's DG Environment, Kotkowska has been instrumental in mobilizing the private sector for circular economy initiatives and implementing EU laws to promote sustainable practices. Her work includes contributions to the Single-use Plastic Directive, EU Ecolabel Regulation, and the proposal for an EU Directive on Green Claims.
Agata has also made significant contributions to EU financial instruments and budgeting, particularly in relation to environmental policies. She has negotiated with the European Investment Bank and supervised the implementation of the Natural Capital Financial Facility. Her expertise extends to programming and implementation of major EU funding programs such as Structural Funds, LIFE and Horizon Europe.
Previously, she led a team at the EASME Executive Agency, coordinating research and innovation projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transport sectors. Her work has directly contributed to the recast of key EU directives, including the Energy Performance of Buildings and Energy Efficiency Directives.
Agata's international experience includes representing the EU in various forums, negotiating with Member States, and coordinating with third countries on cross-border cooperation and transnational programs. In 2023/24, Agata was EU Fellow at UC Berkeley affiliated with the Institute of European Studies as a visiting researcher, where she has researched the financial innovations essential for the private capital market to leverage investments in support of biodiversity requirements in Europe and across the globe.
